Ecomm Cowboy

We cover why Sydney Sweeney’s SYRN is getting dragged on the internet (and why it may not matter whatsoever), how Liquid Death keeps winning by making fun of advertising itself, and why brands that rely on one platform are playing a dangerous game.

Also in this episode:

• Why resale (ReRhone) is becoming a margin recovery strategy, not just a sustainability play
• What Gen Z’s changing relationship with work means for brands and teams
• Why “anti-ads,” culture, and creative throughput matter more than ever
• How B2B ecommerce looks different from DTC — and what DTC operators can learn from it

We’re joined by Isaiah Bollinger, host of The Hard Truth About B2B Ecommerce and SVP at Zaelab, to talk manufacturing, distribution, destination events, and how real commerce actually works behind the scenes.

DTC’s daily show — what’s now/next in ecommerce so marketers can survive and thrive.

Weekly newsletter:
https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/

Made possible by:

• Postscript — Link
• AMP — Link
• Seguno — Link

Follow Ecomm Cowboy:

X |LinkedIn |Instagram |TikTok
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We’re digging into why TikTok users are deleting the app, what the sudden rise of alternatives like Skylight really signals (and what it doesn’t), and why moments like the Lego × Crocs collab show how culture now moves faster than media plans.

We’re also sitting down with Colin McGuire to talk real operator lessons — building BOOMN, mentoring next-gen founders, choosing hard categories on purpose, and how he already hit his 2026 business goals by going all-in on execution.

CHAPTERS

• 0:01 Intro + today’s rundown
• 0:04 Lego x Crocs: why weird sells
• 0:10 TikTok uninstalls + Skylight surge
• 0:13 Sponsor: AMP (Lifetimely)
• 0:14 Colin McGuire joins + BOOMN origin
• 0:20 CAC → LTV economics + brick & click
• 0:24 Retail reality check
• 0:28 Influencers as long-term assets
• 0:31 Honest Company exits DTC
• 0:39 Post-interview recap
• 0:46 Sponsor: Seguno
• 0:48 Tecovas Super Bowl ad reaction
• 0:58 Claude as creative strategist
• 1:01 Sponsor: Postscript
• 1:03 Glassdoor as culture signal
• 1:06 Nike automation layoffs breakdown
• 1:10 Nate Lagos whiskey content loop
• 1:12 Wrap + sign-off

DTC’s daily show — what’s now/next in ecommerce so marketers can survive and thrive.

Weekly newsletter:
https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/

Made possible by:

• Postscript — Link
• AMP — Link
• Seguno — Link

Follow Ecomm Cowboy:

X | LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok
Spotify | Apple Podcasts

We start with TikTok’s new ownership getting off to a rocky start — and why creator + advertiser confidence matters more than “competition.” Even small moments of uncertainty can fracture momentum inside the most influential culture engine on the internet.

From there, we dig into the State of Email in 2026 with Jimmy Kim — what Gmail’s AI inbox means for deliverability, relevance, and retention, and why email isn’t dying… it’s getting filtered harder than ever. The brands that survive aren’t louder — they’re clearer.

We then break down OpenAI’s emerging ad model — paying for impressions instead of clicks — and why this signals a shift away from performance mechanics toward presence, trust, and context inside AI-native environments. If AI becomes the thinking layer, what does attribution even mean anymore?

Other stories we cover:

• Why Valentine’s Day is no longer just for couples (self-gifting + platonic spending are now core behavior)
• YouTube’s Demand Gen drop, shoppable CTV, and dynamic QR codes — the big screen is quietly becoming a checkout lane
• What Paramount+ topping the App Store says about comfort content + attention fatigue
• Why 2026 feels like 2016 again: Gen Z nostalgia, simpler aesthetics, fewer platforms, and a desire for a more human internet

Throughout the show, we connect the dots between automation, monetization, and culture — and why brands that keep optimizing for clicks may panic, while brands that earn trust quietly compound.

DTC’s daily show — what’s now/next in ecommerce so marketers can survive and thrive.

Weekly newsletter:
https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/

Made possible by:

• Postscript — Link
• AMP — Link
• Seguno — Link

Follow Ecomm Cowboy:

X |LinkedIn |Instagram |TikTok
Spotify |Apple Podcasts

We break down reports that ChatGPT could take a 4% cut of Shopify merchant purchases, why Google always wanted this but never pulled it off, and what it means if AI becomes the front door to checkout — not just discovery.We also dig into TikTok’s new Smart+ AI campaigns, why platforms are pushing marketers toward automation and black boxes, and who actually wins when judgment gets replaced by inputs.On the culture side, we talk about:- The Unplugging of Gen‑Alpha and why analog childhoods are becoming a real trend- Why BuzzBallz’ $35K engagement ring is a culture hack, not a product- Mehtab’s marketing calendar hackThen we sit down with Dave Stickland, co‑founder of Popsmith, for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about retail:- Why landing Costco was a mistake- The real cost of prestige and “omnichannel too early”- How to use retail as R&D instead of validation- And what “bougie shite for the aristocrats” looks like in 2026 and beyondWelcome to DTC's daily show — what's now/next in ecommerce so marketers can survive and thrive.Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/Made possible by:Postscript - https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyAMP - ⁠https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboySeguno - https://www.seguno.com/?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyFollow Ecomm Cowboy:https://x.com/ecommcowboyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboyhttps://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0q1Pp0rW8j6cehXToNTeJchttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecomm-cowboy/id1761749693

We break down TikTok’s new off‑site performance tracking and why it’s a signal that attribution, halo effect, and downstream sales are now table stakes for big budgets. We talk about Fulfilled by TikTok, why it feels incredibly convenient, and why it should also make brands a little uncomfortable.We cover:- TikTok’s push to measure the Halo Effect beyond the app- Why Haus’ research shows affection still drives performance before attribution- What happens when platforms own discovery and fulfillment- Nate’s move from watches to supplements, and why copy and positioning break before ads ever do- How category shifts expose whether you actually understand persuasion- ByteDance launching a Netflix‑style competitor and what it signals for brand‑owned mediaWelcome to DTC's daily show — what's now/next in ecommerce so marketers can survive and thrive.Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/Made possible by:Postscript - https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyAMP - ⁠https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboySeguno - https://www.seguno.com/?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyFollow Ecomm Cowboy:https://x.com/ecommcowboyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboyhttps://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0q1Pp0rW8j6cehXToNTeJchttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecomm-cowboy/id1761749693

Commerce is changing layers — fast. Discovery is shifting away from who pays the most and toward who actually fits. Agents don’t care about CPMs. They care about relevance, taste, and context.In today’s livestream, we break down what that means for brands, creators, and operators as:- Visual search becomes vibe‑coded- Agentic commerce introduces “merit‑based shopping”- Paid discovery starts losing its grip on the decision layer- Brands built on spend get exposed — and brands built on relevance get rewardedWelcome to DTC's daily show — what's now/next in ecommerce so marketers can survive and thrive.Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/Made possibly by:Postscript - https://⁠postscript.io⁠AMP - ⁠https://useamp.com⁠Follow Ecomm Cowboy:https://x.com/ecommcowboyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboyhttps://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0q1Pp0rW8j6cehXToNTeJchttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecomm-cowboy/id1761749693

Today we’re breaking down what it actually means now that ChatGPT is getting ads, why AI agents are quietly replacing workflows, and why a lot of what people think is “authentic content” is about to stop working.On today’s livestream:- Why ChatGPT ads are less like Google Search — and more like Amazon recommendations.- What happens when execution becomes cheap, infinite, and automated.- Why “raw” content is no longer a moat in an AI world.- How agents are already running pieces of real businesses.- Why taste, judgment, and clarity are becoming the only defensible advantages.- And why brands that feel human are pulling away while everyone else argues about formats.We’re also joined by Kyle Hency (Chubbies → GoodDay).Welcome to DTC's daily show — what's now/next in ecommerce so marketers can survive and thrive.Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/Made possibly by:Postscript - https://⁠postscript.io⁠AMP - ⁠https://useamp.com⁠Follow Ecomm Cowboy:https://x.com/ecommcowboyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboyhttps://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0q1Pp0rW8j6cehXToNTeJchttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecomm-cowboy/id1761749693

Marketing, ecommerce, and media are colliding faster than most brands are ready for. Today’s show breaks down why legacy retailers are hiring Hollywood execs, why brands now need studios instead of campaigns, how AI is collapsing the cost of content, and why trust, authenticity, and owned relationships are becoming the only real moat. If you’re a founder, operator, or marketer trying to understand where attention, commerce, and culture are actually headed — this episode is for you.- Gap hiring a Chief Entertainment Officer and what it signals about brands becoming media companies- Why brands need in‑house studios to compete in a real‑time, culture‑driven world- AI video reaching the point where we can’t tell what’s real anymore — and what that breaks (and creates)- An in‑depth conversation with Adam Turner, CEO of Postscript, on SMS, AI, and one‑to‑one commerce- Why entertainment beats instruction, from airline safety videos to TikTok Shop chaos- The reality of subscription fatigue and what consumers actually want now- How limited, culture‑first collaborations (like Bridgerton x Jeni’s) outperform mass appeal- What all of this says about the future of ecommerce, marketing, and jobsWelcome to DTC's daily show — what's now/next in ecommerce so marketers can survive and thrive.Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/Made possibly by:Postscript - https://⁠postscript.io⁠AMP - ⁠https://useamp.com⁠Follow Ecomm Cowboy:https://x.com/ecommcowboyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboyhttps://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0q1Pp0rW8j6cehXToNTeJchttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecomm-cowboy/id1761749693

Welcome to DTC's daily show — what's now/next in ecommerce so marketers can survive and thrive.Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/Made possibly by:Postscript - https://⁠postscript.io⁠AMP - ⁠https://useamp.com⁠Follow Ecomm Cowboy:https://x.com/ecommcowboyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboyhttps://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0q1Pp0rW8j6cehXToNTeJchttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecomm-cowboy/id1761749693

Live from Austin on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 — we dig into the “SaaS is dying” discourse and why the real story is pricing power collapsing (AI + lower technical barriers = the middle tier gets smoked). We react to Cody Schneider’s “we cloned the vendor in 3 weeks” tweet, talk why security + SOC2 is the real line in the sand, and use Apple’s new $12.99/mo Creator Studio as the loudest signal yet that incumbents (looking at you, Adobe) are about to feel pain.

Then we pivot to DTC survival mode: Popsmith’s Dave Stickland says the quiet part out loud — you can’t win cheap, so make “bougie” products people want to show off (Delta’s premium revenue proves the economy is bifurcating). We hit the counterpoint too (Costco + Arizona Tea = emotional trust via stubborn pricing), then David Herrman joins to break down the Meta delivery/LPV chaos, what to do when your CPA jumps 40–60% overnight, and where real scale is showing up beyond Meta (AppLovin, Pinterest-as-awareness, and YouTube Shorts). We close with the “human is luxury” thesis (Miller Lite vs. AI slop), Van Man’s restaurant-as-marketing weapon, and Canva’s 2026 design trends: imperfect by design.

• 0:03:20 Is SaaS dying… or just getting cheaper? (Cody Schneider + “build it in 3 weeks” thesis)
• 0:10:57 Apple Creator Studio $12.99/mo — price pressure on Adobe + “SaaS moat” debate
• 0:15:12 “Sell bougie sh*t” — Popsmith lesson + Delta’s premium profit math
• 0:22:59 Counterpoint: Arizona Tea + Costco — consistency, trust, and loss leaders
• 0:28:31 E.l.f on Roblox — brand planting vs PR bait (and why it might still work)
• 0:31:22 David Herman joins — Meta outage fallout
• 0:54:42 Brand stance wars: Equinox vs Miller Lite — “human is the new luxury”
• 0:58:30 Being small is a superpower: VanMan’s “tribe” strategy
• 1:02:44 2026 design trends (Canva): “Imperfect by design” + what it signals
• 1:05:50 Wrap — key takeaways + tomorrow’s guest lineup

Welcome to DTC’s daily show — what’s now/next in ecommerce so marketers can survive and thrive. Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/

Made possible by:

Postscript - https://postscript.io

AMP - https://useamp.com

Follow Ecomm Cowboy:

https://x.com/ecommcowboy

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboy

https://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/

https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboy